How to distinguish between industrial oxygen and medical oxygen

Can you distinguish between industrial oxygen and medical oxygen? Probably everyone has their own method.

Industrial oxygen generally only requires oxygen purity, with no special requirements for other sanitary conditions. At the same time, it also contains excessive harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and methane, and has high levels of moisture, bacteria, and dust. Industrial oxygen is mainly used for welding, gas welding, gas cutting, etc.

The biggest difference between medical oxygen and industrial oxygen lies in the control of moisture in the oxygen. We often have this experience in life: a smooth, rust-free iron surface placed outdoors for a long time will not rust, but after a heavy rain, it will be covered in rust. This is because oxygen will only oxidize a large number of iron molecules in the presence of water. And after iron is oxidized, not only rust but also other gases harmful to the human body, such as hydrogen, are discharged. When iron is oxidized, it forms rust, which is loose and easily forms small particles that can mix into the oxygen. If inhaled by patients, it can cause respiratory damage such as infections. Therefore, minimizing the moisture content in oxygen is extremely important in the production of medical oxygen.

Industrial oxygen is a gas used for industrial production and product processing, with lower quality requirements, generally requiring a purity of over 99% to be considered qualified. The filling procedures are not as strict as for medical oxygen, and moisture and other impurities are often mixed in and remain in the oxygen cylinders. The moisture mixed in and remaining in the cylinders can cause corrosion of the inner wall of the oxygen cylinder, thus causing the gas inside the cylinder to have an unusual smell.

The smelling method is not very effective for industrial oxygen filled into new oxygen cylinders, because it is difficult for the human sense of smell to detect differences between oxygen cylinders filled with medical oxygen and those filled with industrial oxygen when they are first used. However, as time passes, the degree of rust inside industrial oxygen cylinders gradually deepens. If you slightly open the oxygen cylinder switch (the switch should not be opened too wide) and can smell a strong sulfur, rust, or sour odor, it is likely not medical oxygen. It is normal to smell a rubbery odor from individual oxygen cylinders due to the rubber seal rings inside the oxygen cylinder valve.